MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE.

Evening Post, Volume LVI, Issue 18, 21 July 1898, Page 2

MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE.

* ■ Tiiiud Day. The Conference resumed its sitting at half-past 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon. TTIE aiUNICIVAL COHPORATIONS BILL. Tl>e Committee sot up by the Conference to make recommendations with regard to this Bill printed a report giving a resume of its new features, and made a number of recommendations, which were dealt with seriatim. An amendment was made to clause 5, as to wards of boroughs, by providing that the Governor may, "on petition by the Council of such borough," either declare U to be an undivided borough or may divide it into wards. A? to clause 9, the Committee did not sen why the continuity of Councils that at present have the qualifications required by the Bill should be broken on the coining into operation of the Act. Tlip Conference acquiesced. The Committee recommended, as to clause 41, relating to the election of Mayor, that section 78 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1876, requiring the deposit of £10, b« inserted in the Bill. This was carried, and a motion by Mr. R. C. Kirk that the Mayor be elected on the same basis as Councillors — namely, every two 3'ears — was lost on the voices. The Committee recommended Hint section 94 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1886, providing for the retirement of Councillors by rotation, be substituted for clause 66 of the Bill, which requires Councillors to go out of office every two years. — Agreed to. Councillor Gray (Christchurch) moved that the provision in clause 69 allowing ionmembers of the Council to act on committees be struck out, but the motion was lost. Sub-clause 4 of section 169, requiring the apportionment of expenditure amongst the wards in proportion to the rates collected therein, was struck out. A recommendation to strike out clause 211, providing that a Council may accept a surrender of any lease; and clause 212, that it may reduce rent, was rejected on division. Amidst a chorus of " Hear hears !" the Committee recommended that insurance companies be compelled to contribute onethird of the amount required to suppoi', fire brigades, and in proportion to the receipts of each individual compaii}'. Opposition was shown by several delegates to the proposal, it being protested that it wa« illogical and unfair that they should be taxed, especially towards the suppression of fires in buildings which were too often not insured. It would be just as fair to tax fire brigades for water used for fire purposes. Insurance companies were a protection agaiust what sometimes would mean a ruinous loss. On the other hand, it was urged that ratepayers had no right to be burdened with rates for the maintenance of fire brigades, and for water supply, which minimised the losses of insurance companies, without receiving a quid pro quo. The President. (Mr. J. R. Blair) remarked that though he was a shareholder in insurance companies, if they were alive to their own interests they would contribute readily to the maintenance of- fire brigades. The Committee's recommendation was adopted. Clause 339 was amended by altering it to the " Council shall " for the " Governor may " prescribe the duties and liabilities of Inspectors of Nuisances; aud a similar alteration was made in sub-clause 29, clause 377, relating to regulations as to dimensions of rooms. HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID ADMINISTRATION. The Committee left the question of hospital and charitable aid to the Conference to deal with, as involving a large question. In order to allow discussion, the President moved pro forma that the provision* in the Bill be adopted. The M.iyor of Duncdin, Mr. Cargill, contended that if Municipal Councils were asked to administer hospitals and charitable aid it would mean clogging present machinery. Councils had not the time to devote to the work. Mr. It. C. Kirk (Petone) urged the retention of District Boards, with local bodies having proper representation upon them. He disapproved the Bill. Mr. Gray (Christchurch) moved, " That this Conference is of opinion that the duty of the maintenance of hospitals and charitable aid should be left to District Boards, as at present, and not to Councils, and that sections 4U6 to 414 do not meet with the approval of the Conference." Mr. Louis«on (Cliristchureh) supported the motion, because Municipal Councils could not devote the time required to the work of administering hospitals and charitable aid and give proper attention to municipal affairs as well. A The Mayor of Auckland (Mr. Dignan) pointed out that already Councils or their representatives performed a large flart of the work, and he saw no reason why it could not be carried out by a. system of committees. Mr. P. A. Philips (Auckland) suggested that it was a matter which the Government itself ought to undertake, and bear the cost out of the Consolidated! Revenue. Mr. G. II Baylis(Melrose) warned Councils that they did not know what they would be undertaking if they had to administer charity. Mr. Taylor (Dunedirrt thought the Conference should go further than Mr. Gray's proposal, and strongly protest agaiust this burden being thrust upon Councils. The motion was carried on the voices, and the Conference at 4.50 adjourned until halfpast 9 o'clock next morning.